By Robert Nayeja in Dar-es Salaam

Dar-es Salaam, July 25, Mana. Minister of Labour, Agnes NyaLonje has expressed government commitment to eradicating social evils that hinders Human Capital Development to Malawians.

She made the remarks in Dar-es Salam Tanzania after the Vice President of the United Arab States of Tanzania officially launched African Human Capital heads of state Summit taking place at Julius Nyerere International Convention Centre.

NyaLonje said gender inequalities, gender based violence, sexual violence, discrimination on other groups of people, and other social ills are among the social norms that are pulling back human capital among the youth and women in Malawi.

“This summit is very crucial to Malawi as it is looking at how we can address all these issues together, including widening economic opportunities to promote economic development for Malawian youth who forms large population,” she added.

The Minister called for the concerted efforts among various sectors in order to address all social ills to unlock human capital potentials to all groups of people regardless of their status.

“For Malawi to develop there is need to have educated people with good health and so invest in skills and development. Government is doing a lot to end social ills but there is need for concerted efforts and holistic approach in all spheres of life in order to unlock the Human Capital Potential among Malawians.

“The summit is looking at all angles of human life so that African countries including Malawi can put in place and shape services that will  promote good human capital,” NyaLonje added.

She assured commitment to creating a conducive environment in order to promote human capital Development.

During the opening of the summit Vice President for the United State of Tanzania Philip Isdor Mpango said Africa needs to review its policies in order to promote positive thinking, competitiveness to become job creators and not job seekers.

He urged African countries to unlock human capital potential by improving education and health services and concentrate of talent and skills development.

President Dr Lazarus Chakwera is expected to deliver his speech at the summit.

Africa Human Capital Heads of State Summit comes in response to engagements with government focal points on the need to draw attention to the role of human capital in economic growth.

The Summit will be held under the theme, “linking investments in human capital to economic growth and harnessing the demographic dividend, by addressing learning poverty and the skills gap for youth and women.